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Drilling Services

Know Where Your Water Is Before You Drill โ€” Borehole Drilling Services in Ghana

By AquaProbe Ghana ยท Updated June 2025 ยท 12 min read

Whether you need water for your home, your farm, your development, or your community โ€” a borehole is Ghana's most reliable private water source. AquaProbe provides professional borehole drilling services across all 16 regions of Ghana, covering every project type from single domestic boreholes to multi-site NGO programmes.

Our difference: Before our rig arrives, our geologist surveys your site. We study local geology, nearby drilling records, and hydrogeological maps to mark the exact best drill point. That's why 94% of our boreholes hit water on the first drill โ€” while many others don't.

Our Borehole Drilling Services in Ghana

๐Ÿ  Domestic borehole drilling

Residential boreholes for homes, compounds and apartments. Full turnkey โ€” survey, drill, case, pump, test.

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๐Ÿข Commercial borehole drilling

High-yield boreholes for offices, hotels, factories, and large commercial developments.

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๐ŸŒพ Agricultural borehole drilling

Irrigation boreholes for farms, smallholders, and large-scale agriculture across Ghana.

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๐Ÿ—๏ธ Industrial borehole drilling

Large-diameter, high-yield boreholes for industrial water supply and process water needs.

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๐Ÿ˜๏ธ Community & NGO boreholes

Hand pump and motorised community boreholes for WASH programmes, schools, and district assemblies.

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โ˜€๏ธ Solar borehole systems

Off-grid solar borehole installations โ€” pump, panels, controller, tank. Zero electricity bills.

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Types of Borehole Drilling Methods We Use

Rotary borehole drilling

The most common method in Ghana. A rotating drill bit grinds through soil and rock while drilling fluid circulates to remove cuttings. Fast, effective, and suitable for depths of 30โ€“100m+ in Ghana's varied geology.

Cable percussion borehole drilling

A heavy chisel-bit is repeatedly lifted and dropped to break up rock and soil. Ideal for difficult mixed formations and for geotechnical investigation boreholes requiring soil sampling at regular intervals.

Auger borehole drilling

Used in soft, cohesive soils for shallow boreholes. A helical auger is rotated into the ground to extract soil cuttings. Fast and cost-effective for shallow domestic boreholes in suitable ground conditions.

Sonic borehole drilling

Uses high-frequency vibration to advance the drill string โ€” producing continuous, undisturbed core samples from any ground type. Used for specialist geotechnical and environmental investigation boreholes.

Directional & horizontal bore drilling

Used for installing underground pipes or cables under roads, rivers, or structures without excavation. Also used for drainage boreholes and soakaway systems.

Borehole Drilling Process โ€” Step by Step

  1. Site survey โ€” our geologist visits your land, checks hydrogeological maps and local drilling records, and marks the optimal drill point
  2. Permit application โ€” we apply for the Water Resources Commission (WRC) drilling permit on your behalf
  3. Rig mobilisation โ€” our licensed drilling rig is transported to your site
  4. Drilling โ€” we drill to the target aquifer depth, logging soil and rock samples throughout
  5. Casing installation โ€” PVC or steel casing is installed to the required depth to stabilise the borehole and prevent contamination
  6. Borehole development โ€” we flush and develop the borehole to maximise water yield and clear drilling debris
  7. Yield testing โ€” a pump test is conducted to measure water flow rate and determine sustainable yield
  8. Water quality sampling โ€” water samples are taken and sent for laboratory analysis
  9. Pump installation โ€” the appropriate pump is selected and installed based on depth and required yield
  10. Completion certificate โ€” you receive a full borehole completion report and WRC certificate

Borehole Siting โ€” Why It Matters

Borehole siting is the process of identifying the best location on your land to drill โ€” the point most likely to intersect a productive aquifer at a practical depth. In Ghana's variable geology, the difference between a productive borehole and a dry one can be as little as 10 metres of horizontal distance.

AquaProbe uses hydrogeological maps, satellite lineament analysis, and local drilling records to site every borehole we drill. We never choose a drill point based on convenience for the rig โ€” we choose it based on where the water is.

Types of Boreholes in Ghana

TypeUseTypical Depth
Shallow boreholeDomestic supply in areas with high water table15โ€“30m
Standard domestic boreholeHome, compound, small business30โ€“60m
Deep boreholeCommercial, industrial, hard rock areas60โ€“100m+
Mini boreholeSmall domestic or garden supply15โ€“25m
Mechanised boreholeHigh-yield community or commercial40โ€“80m
Geotechnical boreholeSoil investigation, not water supply10โ€“40m
Drainage boreholeSoakaway, dewatering, drainage5โ€“20m

How to Find a Borehole Drilling Company Near You in Ghana

When searching for borehole drilling companies near you in Ghana, check for these key qualifications:

AquaProbe meets all of these standards and serves all 16 regions of Ghana. WhatsApp us your location and we'll confirm availability and send a quote same day.

Borehole Drilling Equipment Used in Ghana

Professional borehole drilling in Ghana relies on specialist equipment. Understanding what equipment is used helps you verify that your contractor is using the right tools for your geology and required depth.

Drill bits for borehole drilling

The bore hole drill bit is the cutting tool at the base of the drill string. In Ghana, the most common types are tricone roller bits for soft to medium formations, and PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) bits for hard Birimian rock. The bore hole bit must match the formation being drilled โ€” using the wrong bit slows progress and increases cost. AquaProbe's geologist identifies the formation type during the site survey so the correct drill bit for water well drilling โ€” whether a tricone, PDC, or drag bit โ€” is selected before the rig arrives. Using the right drill bit for a water well prevents slow progress and unnecessary cost.

Bore hole digger and drilling tools

A bore hole digger refers to both the mechanical drilling rig and the auger or rotary cutting assembly used to advance the borehole. For shallow formations in Ghana, a hand auger bore hole digger can reach 10โ€“15m in soft soil. For productive water supply boreholes, mechanised rotary or percussion rigs are required. AquaProbe operates licensed mechanised drilling rigs suitable for Ghana's varied geology.

Bore drill and water bore drill

A water bore drill is a complete drilling assembly โ€” rig, drill string, drill bit, and circulation system โ€” used specifically to drill boreholes for water supply. Bore bits drilling through hard rock in Ghana require specialised tricone or button bits and higher rig torque than softer formation drilling. AquaProbe's bore drill equipment is maintained and calibrated for Ghana's geological conditions.

Bole hole water and bole hole water pump

Once a bole hole (borehole) is successfully drilled and developed, the bole hole water is pumped to the surface using a submersible bole hole water pump. Selecting the correct pump for the borehole depth, yield, and water chemistry is critical โ€” AquaProbe sizes and installs every pump based on the actual measured yield from the completed borehole.

Hydro drill water well

Hydro drilling (or hydraulic rotary drilling) uses high-pressure water circulation to remove cuttings from the borehole during drilling. It is one of the most effective methods for drilling water wells in Ghana's basement rock terrain and is the primary method used by AquaProbe for domestic and commercial water boreholes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find borehole drilling companies near me in Ghana?

WhatsApp AquaProbe Ghana on +233560968224 with your location. We cover all 16 regions and can confirm availability and pricing same day. We are WRC licensed and serve domestic, commercial, agricultural, and NGO clients.

What is the best borehole drilling method in Ghana?

Rotary drilling is the most widely used and generally most cost-effective method for water supply boreholes in Ghana. The right method depends on your geology โ€” our site survey determines the best approach for your specific location.

How long does it take to drill a borehole in Ghana?

Drilling typically takes 1โ€“3 days depending on depth and rock hardness. Add 1โ€“2 days for development, pump installation, and testing. From booking to completion, allow 2โ€“3 weeks including site survey and permit.

What depth should a borehole be drilled in Ghana?

The required depth depends on your location's geology and the depth of the productive aquifer. In Greater Accra, this is typically 30โ€“50m. In harder rock zones like parts of Ashanti and Eastern Region, 50โ€“80m is common. Our site survey gives you a predicted depth range before drilling begins.

Do I need a permit to drill a borehole in Ghana?

Yes. All borehole drilling in Ghana requires a permit from the Water Resources Commission (WRC). AquaProbe applies for and obtains the drilling permit on your behalf as part of every project.